If you hear helicopters flying, there is likely important safety training going on overhead.
Penticton Airport is a hotbed of helicopter training, with some of the world's top pilots travelling here to hone their skills. The diverse terrain and variable winds of the Okanagan Valley and surrounding mountain areas provide flying challenges that are ideal for the study of the mechanics of mountain winds and advanced flying techniques.
Not only is Penticton Airport home to two helicopter companies, but the airport also plays host to visiting companies from throughout the region. This provides tremendous economic impact to the local economy, with pilots staying in the city for extended periods of time to conduct training.
For the past 60+ years, Topflight Helicopters, which is based out of Penticton Airport, has trained thousands of military and police pilots. Clients include the Royal Canadian Air Force, the U.S. Navy Special Forces, the RCMP, Royal Danish Air Force, numerous aviation police force and search and rescue from across North America.
BC Forestry pilots also conduct training, including using night vision goggles to fight wildfires in the dark. And Penticton and District Search and Rescue also brushes up their skills ahead of the busy summer period.
Also based at Penticton Airport is Eclipse Helicopters, which provides a range of services including fire suppression work with BC Wildfire Service, search and rescue missions, hydro/utilities work and other precision work, as well as helicopter tours.
Also Flying High
There is always something interesting going on year-round in the skies surrounding Penticton Airport. We are proud to support a vibrant aviation community that includes:
- General aviation enthusiasts – Penticton Flying Club / COPA Flight No. 50
- Fixed wing and helicopter flight training – BP Aviation, Topflight Elite Training
- BC Wildfire Service – Fire Zone and Air Tanker Base
- PEP Air & Civil Air Search and Rescue (CASARA)
- Scheduled commercial airlines – Pacific Coastal Airlines and WestJet
- Flight tours and charters – Eclipse Helicopters, Topflight, BP Aviation
Learn to Fly
Penticton Airport is home to two flight training schools that offer training programs for both fixed wing and helicopter students. Pilots travel from all over the world to train at Topflight Elite Training & Charters, which is recognized as among the world’s premier mountain helicopter training schools.
If fixed wing flying is more your style, you can study and train with BP Aviation. The flight school offers a range of training opportunities, including:
- Private Pilot Licence
- Recreational Pilot Permit
- Commercial Licence
- VFR Over The Top Rating
- Night Rating
- Various Ground School Courses
Learn more on our Learn to Fly page
Follow YYF on social media
Sign up for email news updates from Penticton Airport
How would you like to receive news updates involving YYF Penticton Airport straight to your email? Posts are created by the City of Penticton and you can unsubscribe at any time.